DATE: 09/25/03
VERSION: 1.9
AUTHOR: Daniel Anderson
EMAIL: danders15@hotmail.com
GAMEFAQ: Princess Peach Survival Guide
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SUPER SMASH BROS. MELEE - PRINCESS PEACH SURVIVAL GUIDE
Disclaimer - This guide assumes players are already familiar with the
basics of the game. People who do not understand such fundamental
techniques as smashing opponents, dodging attacks and recovering from
falls should seek out a more general-information/walkthrough FAQ that
will explain these issues in greater depth. Furthermore, this guide,
although containing information relevant to the single-payer modes, is
intended primarily to aid players in multi-player, versus battles.
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INTRODUCTION - A PEACH FAQ? WHY?
Many will inevitably ask why, of all the great characters in Hal
Laboratory's excellent Super Smash Brothers Melee, I chose to spend my
time writing up a FAQ on the fair and innocent Princess Peach. Beyond
the beginner who chooses the Princess for her helpful recovery
abilities, most so-called "serious" players ignore Peach for other,
more foreboding, manly, and easier to use (read: cheap) characters.
Being a former resident of a university dormitory, I experienced this
reality first hand when, during long afternoon and nightly droughts of
Smash Brothers, my college friends would regularly annihilate my poor
Peach with their brutal and frustratingly powerful Links, Marths, and
Captain Falcons.
Hence this FAQ, which should help Smash Brother fans play better as the
hopeful Princess, especially when going up against the maiden's most
dangerous opponents. And for those who scoff at even considering
playing as the delicate damsel, I encourage these players to give her a
try nevertheless, as with practice, she can prove herself as one of the
best characters in the game (and her frilly, delicate appearance can
actually cause opponents to underestimate her abilities).
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Princess Peach (Toadstool) - A Brief Biography and Character
Analysis
2. Peach - A Woman of Great Strengths. . .And a Few Weaknesses
-Primary Strengths
-Primary Weaknesses
3. That Pesky Princess - Attack List
-'A' Attacks
-'A' Smashes
-'B' Attacks
-Grabs and Throws
4. Princess Power - Tips, Strategies, and Warnings
-Juggling
-Choosing an Arena
-Brawl vs. Hit-and-Run
-Multiple Smashes
-Against the Computer
-Defending Against Edge-Guarding Opponents
-Edge-Guarding as Peach
-Block and Grab Rules
-Practicing as Other Characters
-Frightening Flying
5. Peach in Peril - The Poor Princess' Most Dangerous Opponents
-Link
-Marth and Roy
-Captain Falcon
-Ganondorf
-Fox McCloud and Falco Lombardi
-Zelda (Sheik)
6. Just Peachy - Miscellaneous Tips and Tricks
7. Playing Peach to Perfection - Alternative Strategies
8. Conclusion - Final Advice, Hopes, Rants, and Credits
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1. PRINCESS PEACH (TOADSTOOL) - A BRIEF BIOGRAPHY AND CHARACTER
ANALYSIS
Princess Peach's first appearance was in the original Super Mario
Brothers game, during which the villainous Bowser, a giant
turtle-dragon (known as "Koopa" in Japan), is holding her captive in
his fortress. Bowser, through black magic, has transformed much of the
denizens of the Mushroom Kingdom into bricks and stones, and only
Princess Peach has the power to reverse the spell. Thanks to the
plucky Mario Brothers, Bowser is ultimately defeated, Princess Peach is
rescued, and the Kingdom is saved.
Peach has reprised her role of damsel-in-distress in numerous other
Mario games. In fact, Peach has been captured and rescued so many
times over the years, she has become the basic archetype for all
damsel-in-distress type characters (in video games or otherwise).
Despite her reputation, however, the Princess has appeared as a
playable character in several games, including Super Mario Brothers 2,
the three versions of Mario Kart (with a fourth one coming), Mario Golf
and Mario Tennis, Super Mario RPG, Paper Mario, Mario and Wario (Japan
release only), Game and Watch Gallery 2 and 4, the Mario Party games,
and, obviously, Super Smash Brothers Melee.
Aesthetically, Peach has changed little over the years, although her
flaming red hair first seen in the original Super Mario Brothers (and
on the old Super Mario Super Show television program) has been
gradually lightened over time, transforming her into the pristine
blonde familiar to gamers today. Likewise, her original American name,
Toadstool, has been replaced with "Peach" in recent years to correspond
with the Japanese version of her name, although "Toadstool" can still
be considered her unofficial last name. Otherwise, Princess Peach is
almost indistinguishable from her original design conceived over
fifteen years ago.
A symbol of virtue, grace and purity, Peach has little in common with
most modern video game women, who are generally portrayed as tough,
violent, sensual, and full of attitude. Perhaps this is the key to the
Princess' enduring popularity - unlike most contemporary female
characters, who are little more than men with huge breasts, Peach is
very much a true woman, and plays as such in the games she appears in.
Even in Super Smash Brothers Melee, where her presence often seems
inappropriate and contrary to her typically gentle nature, Peach
still plays and feels like a woman, from her dainty run and graceful
flying to her slap attacks and parasol glides across the playing field.
With her cheerful attitude and bright spirit, Peach represents
traditional femininity, in which grace and innocence are valued over
aggression and self-advancement. This fact, as mentioned earlier,
makes her presence in the rough and tough world of Smash Brothers
a peculiar one, but a good player can have much fun experimenting with
the character, mastering her moves, and then embarrassing opponents by
smashing their more "manly" characters into oblivion.
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2. PEACH - A WOMAN OF GREAT STRENGTHS. . .AND A FEW WEAKNESSES
Before I provide an in-depth analysis of Peach's large assortment of
moves and abilities, another disclaimer must be made - Peach is not
necessarily the best character in the game! No matter how proficient
one becomes with her, the sad truth is that a Peach player will always
be at a disadvantage playing against certain other characters; Peach
has natural weaknesses against weapon-wielding types, extremely fast
types, and large, powerful types - but more on this later.
The damsel appeals primarily to the beginning Melee player who has not
yet mastered the basic skills of the game, such as recovering from
falls or evading attacks. Likewise, expert players also find her
attractive (and I mean other than physically), as her potent smashes
and flying techniques make her one of the top characters in the game.
So why doesn't everyone play as the cute damsel, then? Because
Peach requires much patience and practice to master successfully - a
fact any Peach player who has been annihilated for the hundreth time
by Sheik can attest to. In other words, perfecting one's game as the
Princess can be very rewarding, but one has to be willing to work
for it.
And why is she so challenging to master? Put simply, Peach is unique
in that nearly all her strong, effective moves and abilities are
counter-balanced by several weak, ineffectual ones. The listing below
is a basic run-down of her primary strengths and weaknesses. A more
in-depth look at her individual moves will follow thereafter.
Note: A couple of readers have sent me emails complaining about my
criticisms concerning some of Peach's attacks. This is understandable,
as playing Smash Brothers is a very subjective experience, and players
are bound to disagree at times on which tactics and maneuvers they
think work best. In other words, there really is not a "correct" way
to play the game. My job as a FAQ writer is to simply offer advice
and tips concerning how I think the game is best played when using
the comely lass. Furthermore, I recommend that serious players
read the ENTIRE FAQ before determining its usefulness, as even
when I criticise aspects of Peach's abilities, I always mention
her attributes as well (either in the same section, or elsewhere in
the document). Lastly, readers should remember that practice makes
perfect, and thus, Princess experts can use even her worst attacks and
abilities to their advantage. For example, Peach's notorious
"Peach Bomber" maneuver is rather mediocre, but this does not mean
that an experienced player cannot find ways to use it effectively.
That being said, because this FAQ is primarily targeted towards readers
wanting a quick reference to the damsel's best attacks and tricks, and
also to beginners who may be having a hard time fighting effectively,
her weaker attacks (like the Peach Bomber) are inevitably overshadowed
by these more potent moves.
However, should anyone feel a specific attack or tactic was
neglected, misrepresented, or incorrectly documented, he or she may
submit their own strategies to me via email. If I like what I see,
I'll add it to the "alternate strategies" section of the FAQ. (And this
way, I don't have to spend the extra time writing up the new strategies
myself in other sections of the FAQ).
PRIMARY STRENGTHS
Unparalleled Flight, Glide and Hover Abilities - Obviously, Peach's
amazing recovery abilities are what first attract people to the
character, as no other character in the game (even Kirby or Jigglypuff)
can quite match the Princess' prowess of returning to the arena after
being smashed long distances away. Also useful, Her Highness can use
her powers of flight to fake out opponents as she flies and falls
through the air, often providing herself with the opportunity to score
a surprise hit.
Impressive Juggling Abilities - Although not immediately apparent, many
of Peach's stronger moves have the tendency to propel opponents upward
in the air, allowing for some effective combos. An accomplished Peach
player can be devastating to an airborne adversary.
Good Horizontal Air Attacks - Peach's mid-air crown slap, along with
her butt bounce and twirl maneuvers, are great for knocking enemies
away in various directions.
Effective Upward and Downward Smashes - Surprisingly, Peach's upward
smash in incredibly powerful, and is often the only practical way of
ejecting an opponent from the arena quickly. Likewise, Peach's
downward smash is also impressive, as it can instantly damage enemies
on all sides of her, and better, can sometimes score multiple hits with
only a single use.
Useful Upward and Downward B attacks - The Princess' upward B attack
allows her to spear enemies with her parasol, and thus is an effective
way to counter opponents' downward air attacks. Her downward B move
provides her with an unlimited amount of vegetables to hurl at her
opponents, and is a useful way to keep aggressive enemies at bay.
Satisfactory Upward and Long-Distance Throw - Peach's upward throw is
great for setting up an opponent for an upward smash or series of
combos. Likewise, she can throw high-damaged opponents long-distances
to the left or right of her. Just remember, do not throw a low-damage
opponent forward horizontally! He/she will rise and most likely hit
Peach in return before she can react.
Average Speed - Whether running or jumping, Peach is not exactly a
swift player to control. This, however, can be an advantage, as her
modest speed allows her to aim and adjust her attacks more accurately
than other, quicker characters, especially when moving through the air.
PRIMARY WEAKNESSES
Vulnerable While Flying - While Peach's flying ability can be
a lifesaver, it also makes her extremely vulnerable to other
characters' air and upward B attacks. Worse yet, the poor Princess
cannot air-dodge while in flight. With practice, however, players
can use many of her potent aerial attacks to ward off relentless
attackers.
Poor Vertical Air Attacks - The Princess' up + A attack, an awkward
jump-kick of sorts, is often difficult to time and aim correctly, while
her downward rapid air-kick technique is weak and easily countered.
Ineffective Horizontal Smashes - Being the gentle, delicate flower that
she is, Peach has a difficult time expelling opponents out of the arena
with her left and right smashes. Put simply, her smashes simply do not
knock opponents very far away, forcing Peach players to devise
alternative strategies to ensure victory. On the plus side, however,
her weaker smashes often allow her to score multiple hits on her
pursuers (and thus rack-up a lot of damage).
Mostly Useless Horizontal B Attacks - Disappointingly, Peach's basic B
attack, the infamous Toad Counter, requires much practice to be used
successfully, and can be considered a contender for the worst basic B
attacks in the game (Ness' basic B attack is also pretty awful).
Similarly, the Princess' Peach Bomber technique is slow, lacks range,
has awful recovery, and is easily preempted by opponents.
Unsatisfactory Horizontal Throws (low-damage opponents) - Peach's grab
and throw moves (primarily her forward toss) are not particularly
effective on low-damage opponents, who, after being thrown, will still
be close enough to respond with an attack of their own. Fortunately,
Peach can actually throw an opponent clear across the arena if his/her
damage is great enough.
Limited Long-Range Attacks - As nonsensical as it may seem, Peach is
mostly an offensive fighter is Super Smash Brothers Melee, meaning that
she has to get in close to her enemies in order to effectively attack
them. This, of course, means she has greater vulnerability than
characters who can attack from afar (think Link or Samus). Her
vegetables help balance this weakness somewhat, but to deal serious
damage, players will have to attack their opponents directly.
Average Speed - In most fighting games, the women are generally the
weaker but faster characters, but in Melee, all the females are rather
slow (with the exception of Sheik, the male form of Zelda). Peach is
no exception, as, at best, she moves at average speed, both on foot and
when jumping through the air. Her flying abilities compensate for this
a little, but Peach is still extremely vulnerable against quick
opponents, namely Sheik, Fox, Marth, Roy and Captain Falcon.
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3. THAT PESKY PRINCESS - ATTACK LIST
Peach has an eclectic repertoire of moves, some good and some bad, with
the worst being nearly useless. The following list is divided between
her A and B attacks, respectively.
'A' ATTACKS - Peach players will rely primarily on the maiden's 'A'
button techniques.
Basic Slap Two-Hit Combo - Press A repeatedly - Like most characters,
Peach boasts a quick, basic attack good for setting up enemies for a
stronger blow, and also for preventing enemies from attacking
immediately in return. Beware, however, that Peach will regularly be
overpowered in "basic A" battles against characters armed with swords
(Link, Marth and Roy), and those with extremely rapid basic attacks,
such as Fox, Kirby, and Captain Falcon. Also notable, Peach's slap
can be used to deflect or counter a number of enemy attacks, from
Mario's fireballs to Sheik's lightning-fast dash attack.
Crouching Slap - Down + A - One of Peach's better moves, this easy to
execute maneuver can really rack up the damage on opponents if used
in quick succession. It is also a good move to use immediately after
emerging from a dodge, as the alternative, using Peach's grab, is not
always effective on quick-witted opponents.
Upwards Head Butt - Up + A - Peach's head butt is a decent, quick way
to attack an opponent approaching her from above, as it can propel an
opponent directly back into the air. Unfortunately, a good opponent
might strike at the same time Peach does, causing damage to both
characters. Worse still, an opponent might attack an instant sooner,
thus out-prioritizing the Princess' attack and causing her serious
damage. In other words, the head butt is a risky maneuver that is
often best discarded for another attack, such as Peach's upward parasol
or upward smash technique.
High Kick - Left/Right + A - On low-damage opponents, Peach's high-kick
is not particularly effective, but as their damage level rises, the
kick will propel them increasingly higher into the air, thus making
them vulnerable to other attacks. The maneuver is especially effective
at setting up combos.
Dash Attack - Dash(run) Left/Right + A - Surprisingly, Peach has one of
the best dash attacks in the game, as she possesses the uncanny ability
of sending opponents skyward upon landing a strong, direct hit. In
fact, Peach is one of the few characters who can actually juggle
opponents by simply dashing into them repeatedly as they fall towards
the ground. The dash is one of Peach's best, most important moves, and
should be practiced and experimented with often.
Mid-air Twirl - Jump + A - Peach's basic jump attack has decent power,
and can knock an unwary foe a substantial distance away if used
properly. The maneuver does not require the precise timing as Peach's
crown slap, but conversely, it is a slower, less aggressive move that
can be countered by an alert opponent.
Air Crown Slap - Jump + Left/Right(forward) + A - Peach has some
good horizontal air attacks, and her forward slap is no exception;
although it takes practice to master the timing of the technique, a
successful hit can send an opponent flying across the screen. Why is
it so powerful? Many players never notice it, but Peach actually uses
her crown before delivering the blow. Playing the game in slow motion
(choose one/fouth speed in training mode, and select the zoom camera
option) will reveal the clever maiden pulling the crown off the top of
her head.
Air Butt-Bounce Attack - Jump + Left/Right(backwards) + A
- In many ways, Peach's air-butt attack is a weaker, but more easily
timed, version of her crown slap. Peach players will often choose to
hit an opponent with a butt bounce if the circumstances do not allow
for a more powerful type of blow. Unfortunately, a skilled opponent
will often counter or block it.
Upwards Jump Kick - Jump + Up + A - Peach's jump kick, although
relatively powerful, is difficult to use effectively, and many opt to
use her other air attacks instead. Nevertheless, a successfully
delivered jump kick can be a satisfying blow, and it can be a
serviceable way of defending Peach as she floats in the air. Keep in
mind, however, that using the control stick is the best way to perform
the maneuver, rather than with the normally preferred X or Y buttons
(the primary, and best, means to jump). A word of caution, however -
Peach's upward kick can often be countered by an opponent's downward
aerial attack, so players should use it only on clearly incapacitated
opponents.
Downwards Rapid Kick - Jump + Down + A - Probably one of the Princess'
most lackluster moves, Peach players should think seriously before
using this attack, especially against experienced opponents. The move
is weak and easily countered by most enemies' up + B attacks and
smashes, and a direct hit will not even knock an opponent away as Her
Highness lands, leaving her vulnerable to a returning blow.
'A' SMASHES
Although Peach's four basic smash techniques are fun to use, they often
lack the sheer strength to fulfill their very purpose - to send
adversaries flying from the arena.
Left/Right Smashes - If nothing else, Peach at least has among the most
entertaining horizontal smashes in the game, as she will randomly pull
out three different instruments - a tennis racquet, golf club and
frying pan - with which to bludgeon her attackers. Of the three tools,
the tennis racquet knocks opponents the farthest away, the golf club
sends opponents into the air at a more or less forty-five degree angle,
and the frying pan inflicts the most damage while generally sending
enemies skyward. Of course, the more an opponent is damaged, the
further away a clean hit will send him. Unfortunately, as fun as it is
to clunk an opponent on the head with a frying pan, the sad truth is
that Peach's horizontal smashes are among the weakest in the game, and
heavier opponents often have to be beyond 150% damage before they can
be easily expunged from the screen. On the flipside, her
smashes do not require exact accuracy to be effective attacks, can
be useful in keeping aggressors at bay, and can sometimes be used to
score multiple hits, thus inflicting massive damage.
Upward and Downward Smashes - While Peach's regular smashes might be
lacking, her excellent vertical smashes largely compensate for this.
Her upward smash is especially potent, as it can sometimes expel even
relatively low-damage opponents from the arena. Thus, it serves as a
great follow-up move on opponents tumbling downward in midair. Peach's
downward smash is also a fantastic maneuver, as it can instantly clear
away opponents on either side of her, and sometimes, even score
multiple hits. On rare occasions, a Peach player can inflict over
forty-percent of damage on unfortunate rivals. The downward smash is
also useful against opponents attacking from below, often knocking them
away effortlessly, and it can be especially brutal against unfortunate
rivals who happen to be crouching.
'B' ATTACKS - Disappointingly, half of Peach's 'B' attacks are more
entertaining to watch than to use, but her parasol and vegetable
techniques are indeed useful.
Toad Counter - Press B - Put bluntly, Peach's Toad attack is among the
most useless, and difficult to master, basic B attacks in the game.
Unlike Mario's fireballs or Zelda's Nayru's Love technique, which are
more intuitive and dependable moves, the Toad attack cannot even damage
an opponent unless he/she strikes first. Once an enemy strikes the
hapless guardian, he will immediately retaliate with a spray of spores,
incurring multiple hits on Peach's attacker. The problem, however, is
the move must be perfectly timed, is slow, has little range, and is
only effective against direct, close-range physical attacks. In other
words, Peach players using the technique to block projectiles are
wasting their time, as Toad's counteractive spore spray does not extend
far enough to damage long-range attackers. Peculiarly, the move is
also defenseless against grabs and throws, and even more frustrating,
opponents actually hit by the attack often recover before Peach can
return Toad to her pocket, leaving her open for a free hit! Players
should use the Toad Counter sparingly - primarily against dashing
attacks and airborne, horizontal blows.
Peach Bomber - Left/Right + B - The usually graceful and mild-mannered
Peach has a not-so-dignified maneuver in the Peach Bomber, where she
literally thrusts her hind-end into opponents, setting them afire in a
flurry of flames. The move, by Peach standards, is rather powerful,
but it is also slow and easily pre-empted by alert and aggressive foes.
In fact, even a basic A attack can cancel the maneuver. Peach players
should use the technique sparingly - particularly to surprise unwary
opponents or those distracted by other fighters.
Peach Parasol - Up + B - One of Peach's most useful moves, the parasol
allows Peach to skewer enemies lurking above her, and is a great way to
counter normally-devastating downward attacks, such as Bowser's and
Yoshi's super butt-stomps. Better yet, the Her Grace can use the
umbrella to glide daintily around the arena, making it a terrific
recovery move. On the downside, Peach is extremely vulnerable while
gliding, so players not needing or wanting the extra airtime should
land quickly by pulling down sharply on the control stick.
Vegetable Toss - Down + B + B, or Down + B + A - The vegetable is an
invaluable move in Peach's repertoire, as it is her only long-distance
attack. Peach can pluck these handy foodstuffs from any surface and
immediately hurl them at her opponents, often knocking them off-guard
and keeping them at bay. In fact, because the vegetables are throwable
in four directions, their uses are almost limitless; smart Peach
players will use them for everything, from countering air-attacks and
blocking projectiles to frustrating opponents' attempts to return to
the playing field after a fall or smash. Peach can even fly over a
group of fighters and drop a vegetable on them as she passes by,
contributing to the chaos below without any risk to herself. Also
noteworthy, vegetables do different levels of damage depending on their
expressions, with the rare, sickly looking ones being the most powerful
(capable of 34% damage). Smart players should attempt to recatch and
reuse these valuable veggies once they bounce off unfortunate rivals.
The Princess is not limited to just produce, however, as she will
occasionally pull a bomb, Mr. Saturn or beamsword from the ground as
well, allowing her an element of surprise to execute on her enemy. The
bomb and beamsword, obviously, are especially handy (especially on
no-item melees), and can occasionally change the tide of battle.
Despite its advantages, however, the vegetable also has some weaknesses
- Peach throws the item rather slowly, making it an easy object for
advanced opponents to catch and use themselves. Thus, Peach players
over-using the veggies will soon find their enemies adapting to, and
overcoming, the technique.
Update: For more elaborate information on vegetables and their eclectic
uses, check-out Sanzang's tip list in the "Alternative Strategies"
section of this FAQ.
GRABS AND THROWS
Many regard Peach as having among the more ineffective grab and throw
techniques in the game. That said, an expert player can be brutal
with Her Highness' throwing abilities, especially on already
high-damage opponents.
Forward/Backward Throws - At first blush, Peach's forward throw
might seem rather worthless, as she cannot toss low-damage opponents
more than a few feet away - a weakness that leaves her vulnerable to a
return blow. Fortunately, high-damage opponents are extremely
vulnerable to Her Highness' throws, and can be sent literally soaring
from the arena if their damage is high enough. Once an opponent moves
beyond 75% damage, Peach players should try to throw whenever the
opportunity presents itself, while enemies below 50% are best attacked
with simpler, more reliable moves.
Should a player grab a low-damage opponent (below 50%), choosing to do
a backwards throw - the one in which Peach bumps her aggressor away
with her hip - is often a wiser choice than the former, as the foe
will be knocked farther away, and thus, less likely to hit the damsel
with a return strike.
Downward Throw - Peach's down toss is little more than her sitting
herself down forcibly on her poor opponent's backside. Unfortunately,
the maneuver is not particularly strong, so players should simply
reserve this technique for embarrassing opponents. Update: Thanks to
a tip submitted by Mister Boo, it seems Peach's downward throw is not
as worthless as it first appears. Upon executing the maneuver,
players should immediately attempt a high-kick, which will often send
incapacitated opponents skyward for a handy juggle.
Upward Throw - A potentially devastating throw, Peach will actually
hurl an opponent upwards, leaving him/her vulnerable to a follow-up
blow. In other words, the move is great for combos, but is most
effective against opponents above 50% damage (as they will be tossed
higher and thus juggled more easily).
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4. PRINCESS POWER - TIPS, STRATEGIES, AND WARNINGS
Despite her surprisingly impressive abilities in Super Smash Brothers
Melee, Peach is still very much the damsel-in-distress against certain
opponents, and within certain arenas. The following is a listing of
tips and tactics that will help the determined Peach player win, even
if the odds are against her.
Juggling - Probably the greatest tactic a Peach player can use, the
effective juggling of opponents is sometimes the only hope the damsel
has in surviving a battle. In fact, Peach is one of the best jugglers
in the game, and the number of combo chains a player can execute as the
damsel is only limited by his/her imagination. There are three basic
combos, however, that should always be remembered:
A. Dash Attack Combo - Although the computer does not consider this
type of technique a true combo, the truth is that players can
repeatedly hit an opponent simply by dashing back and forth as he/she
falls from the sky. This move is especially potent against high-damage
victims, as they will remain stunned longer after every hit, and thus
be less likely to defend themselves. Despite its simplicity, however,
the maneuver still takes practice to master, as properly timing the
dashes, especially on opponents who are weaving through the air at odd
angles, can be tricky. Also, players should strive to hit their
enemies as directly as possible with their dashes, as doing so propels
foes higher, and more vertically, into the air.
B. Air-Assault Combos - After sending an opponent soaring into the
air, often with a dash, smash, or high-kick, players can keep their
opponents airborne with a mix of jump-kicks, mid-air twirls, butt-
bounces, parasol attacks, and the aforementioned dash and high-kick.
After banging an enemy around a few times, an upward smash,
if possible, is always a satisfying way to end the chain.
C. Crouching Slap Magic - Once Peach sends an opponent airborne with
her mighty crouch-slap, the aggressor often can be kept aloft with a
series of high-kicks. After a few hits, players can opt to finish the
juggle with a smash of some kind, or simply choose to grab their
opponent and toss him away. In the event that the chain is broken
accidentally by a misplaced kick, a downward smash or another crouching
slap can compensate nicely.
Note: For more information on combos, check out Lazy Teens Club's
excellent Peach FAQ on www.gamefaqs.com.
Choosing an Arena - Peach's flying abilities, coupled by her relatively
slow speed, makes her a better choice for large environments where she
has room to float around and calculate attacks. Hyrule Temple, Peach's
Castle, and Corneria are among her better arenas. Obviously, her
powers of flight also make her ideal for Poke Floats, Big Blue, and
Rainbow Cruise. If possible, players should avoid small levels and
those with short KO horizons (instant off-screen deaths), especially
Icy Peaks, Final Destination, Brinstar and Mute City. Note: Remember,
level size is relative to the number of opponents playing. For
example, a one-on-one fight in Final Destination does not pose nearly
as large of a problem for Her Highness as a four-player free-for-all
would. In other words, bigger arenas are best for multiple opponents.
Brawl Versus Hit-and-Run - Although one might think Peach would be best
suited for hit-and-run style tactics, Peach is actually more of a
close-range fighter. Fortunately, on one-on-one battles, Peach can
usually hold her own at the hands of an experienced player, but in
multi-player free-for-alls, players should attack more conservatively
if they expect to survive. Players should attack only one opponent at
a time, or else find themselves battered mercilessly like a ping-pong
ball between their attackers. This is due to Peach's lack of sheer
bullying power.
Multiple Smashes - Peach's weak horizontal smashes have one advantage
in that she can sometimes smash an opponent two or three consecutive
times with proper timing. Although difficult to do with her racquet
attack (as it knocks opponents too far away), both her golf club and
frying pan smashes can send an opponent flying just over the Princess'
head, rendering them vulnerable to a second, and on certain occasions,
even a third hit (should they be bludgeoned upwards again).
Against the Computer - Computer controlled opponents are relatively
easy to defeat until they are played on CPU level seven or higher -
then they become tough. The key to the computer's success is that it
plays cheap, plain and simple, for it will relentlessly follow players
around the arena like a hound after a rabbit. In addition, it has an
advantage over human players in that it immediately recognizes every
move a player has initiated before it even appears on the screen
(making tricking the computer absurdly difficult), and it can also
detect the appearance of off-screen items. Thankfully, the computer
also has a few faults in its AI programming that players can use to
their advantage. First, computer adversaries will always drop through
a platform to attack a player waiting directly below, making them
extremely vulnerable to upward smashes. Second, AI opponents will
often jump blindly towards the platform a player is perched on, leaving
themselves susceptible to repeated horizontal smashes. Lastly,
computer opponents will almost never use certain items, such as the
motion-sensor mine or bob-omb, but will regularly allow themselves to
be KOed by such objects.
A Word of Warning: Players must remember to use caution when blocking
against a high-level computer opponent, as activating one's shield will
immediately cause the computer to attempt a grab on poor Peach.
Defending Against Edge-Guarding Opponents - Proficient edge-guarders
can be especially dangerous on one-on-one battles, as they can
concentrate solely on preventing their opponent from returning to the
arena without worry of another player attacking them from behind.
Either way, Peach is quite vulnerable to edge-guarders, especially
sword-wielding types who can simply swing their weapons repeatedly at
the edge of a level to swat their enemies effortlessly away.
So what can a cute princess do about this problem? Obviously, Peach's
flight abilities are a great help, and often times players can simply
fly over their enemies as they return to the battlefield. If players
cannot gain enough height over their persecutors, Peach's Parasol
maneuver will often provide the necessary lift to return safely.
Of course, a high-damage Princess will not always be able to return so
easily, as opponents will often send Peach soaring off the stage in a
helpless air-tumble of sorts. Peach can be revived from this
predicament by pressing A, but by this time she is often already near
the bottom-half of the screen. Once this occurs, several options are
available: First, players can intentionally guide Peach to the side of
the playing field where she will automatically grab the ledge. Players
can then press R (shield button) to allow Peach to pull herself up and
roll past her opponent to safety (presuming the enemy is near the
edge), or press A and have Peach pull herself up and immediately hit
her opponent (again, presuming her opponent is near the edge). If her
attacker is farther away, simply hitting up on the control stick to
allow Peach to pull herself straight up is often the best tactic to
take (but expect to be attacked immediately upon doing so). Second,
those who are feeling lucky can guide Peach just below the edge of the
arena, where they can then perform a parasol attack, skewering the foe
above. Those who choose this maneuver - and succeed - should expect a
return strike from the enemy. Third, in another risky maneuver, a
player can fall towards their opponent and use the Peach bomber just
before they come within their foe's striking range, ideally surprising
the hapless adversary with a great hit. Likewise, players can perform
a similar technique with the Toad Counter, but one should only do this
if an immediate attack is expected. Fifth, skilled players can attempt
a crown slap, which sometimes works well on weaponless opponents (those
without swords). Lastly, Peach players can simply opt to use an air-
dodge to return to the playing field.
Caution: Unfortunately, once an air-dodge or upward B attack is
performed, a player cannot attack or jump again until he/she lands.
Edge-Guarding as Peach - Her Highness' best edge-guarding tactics
involve her horizontal smashes, downward smash, and those pesky veggies
of hers. As an opponent struggles to return to the playing field,
Peach players should be waiting near the edge to swat them away with a
powered smash. If the enemy manages to land outside the range of a
frontal smash, a dash or downward smash can compensate. Adversaries
still a distance from the arena can be knocked back repeatedly by a
continuous stream of the Princess' prized vegetables, which players can
pluck and toss quickly by holding down and rapidly pressing B. If the
opponent still manages to near the playing field, players should
quickly change tactics and execute a smash. Update: According to
Cahphoenix, a downward smash is effective against opponents jumping
back to a ledge after falling. Furthermore, the damsel's mid-air twirl
can be an effective means to launch returning opponents (victims?) back
into oblivion.
Block and Grab Rules - Although this is true when playing as any
character, Peach cannot simultaneously generate her shield and grab an
opponent while said enemy is striking her shield. Attempting to do so
will only leave the poor Princess susceptible to being grabbed and
thrown herself.
Practice With Other Characters - Remember, one of the best ways to
improve one's skills is to play as the other characters, learn their
moves, and then use that knowledge in constructing a potent strategy
for Peach.
Frightening Flying - Peach's flying ability can be used for more than
just recovering from falls. Smart players will use her abilities to
move irregularly in the air, faking out adversaries by her erratic
movements. By doing this, the damsel can often score extra hits on
her aggressors. Experimentation is the key.
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5. PEACH IN PERIL - THE POOR PRINCESS' MOST DANGEROUS OPPONENTS
A good Peach player can handle over half the contestants in Super Smash
Brothers Melee with little trouble, but several will give all but the
best players a hard time. This is due to the game's sometimes
unbalanced, over-powered or quick characters. Fortunately, these
difficulties can be (mostly) overcome with some determination and
effort. The following is a list of the characters the fair damsel is
generally most vulnerable to, with tips on how to defeat them
nonetheless.
Link - Link can be a struggle to defeat, especially for the beginner.
Why? Here's a brief list of his strengths: He is fairly powerful, has
cheap attacks (beware his dreaded sword spin), has a number of long-range
moves, has good reach with his "short-range" moves (thanks to his sword),
has a long-range throw (that can even penetrate shields), has overly
powerful downward and upward A attacks (his down-thrust is a killer), and
he can even block projectiles without generating his shield, as his
Hyrulian shield is capable of blocking most long-range attacks. Perhaps
his only weakness is that his upward and downward smashes are not
particularly effective, but such is little consolation.
So what is a princess to do against such might? Pray for good items,
for starters, as an expert Link player may trounce the poor Princess
otherwise. But if decent items are not at hand, or worse, are being
used by the competition, players will have to play craftily to win.
-If Link is approaching from a distance, toss a vegetable or two in his
direction to slow him down.
-Be extremely careful when blocking and dodging, as his annoying hook-
shot throw can unfairly penetrate a shield. Fortunately, should Peach
avoid the weapon, players will have a second of opportunity to strike
back as the elf reels in his weapon. Using a dash in these situations
is generally best, as it is easy to pull off and sets Link up for a
juggle. Knowing this, Peach players would be wise to intentionally
lure a Link opponent into using his hook-shot so that he can be left
vulnerable for a quick counterattack.
-Be careful when using air-attacks, as Link, thanks to his sword, has
an easier time countering such maneuvers than most other characters.
-On the larger levels, fly Peach around often to entice Link into
chasing her. By forcing Link to pursue her, Peach has a greater chance
of countering his attacks.
-Link's downward sword thrust is among the most powerful downward A
moves in the game, and can be likened to a smash attack. If Link
attempts this maneuver on Peach, block it and grab him immediately as
he lands. At this point, one can either throw him upwards (good for
double hits) or to the side (sometimes a safer choice). His downward
sword attack can also be countered with an upward smash, but the timing
must be perfect. Many players prefer using Peach's Parasol to preempt
the attack, and some simply dodge the move, and then hit Link with a
dash or smash as he recovers from the miss.
-Link is left vulnerable after completing his sword-spin technique,
allowing Peach a good opportunity for an air, dash or smash attack.
-Do not stand on a platform directly above Link, as a good player will
immediately use a jump spin, or worse, an upward sword thrust.
-Link, amazingly, also has a rapid sword attack to compliment all his
other overly powerful moves. In other words, do not take him head on
with basic attacks, as Peach's dainty hands with be no match for the
elfin warrior's Master Sword.
-Some Peach players simply rush in on Link, sometimes hopping around as
they do so, hoping to eventually land a good hit and propel him upwards
for a devastating juggle. This strategy does indeed work - sometimes -
but, for obvious reasons, it also puts Peach at great risk.
-As with most opponents, Peach players should focus on smashing
Link upward out of the arena more so than towards the left or right.
Marth and Roy - Although they lack Link's variety of short and long-
range moves, their sword attacks are quick and powerful enough to
instill dread in many a Peach player.
-As with Link, Peach's dainty slap-attack is no match for Marth's and
Roy's longer-ranged, more powerful sword swipes. Generally, only
quick, more powerful direct attacks, such as Peach's high kick or dash
moves, should be used (however, the risk of being beaten away by their
swords, or grabbed, is still a possibility).
-Marth and Roy are superb edge-guarders due to their over-arching sword
blows. A Marth player, for instance, can stand at the edge of the
playing field and simply swipe repeatedly with his sword, continuously
knocking even the most determined opponents back into the void. To
survive this injustice, players should try returning by flying over
their opponents, using, if needed, Peach's parasol for added lift, for
both characters sport strong upward B attacks. Refer to the previous
"Princess Power" section for further instruction.
-As with any opponent, juggle tactics are crucial for victory. Once an
enemy is rendered helpless and airborne, try to juggle him as many
times as possible, for once he lands or revives in the air, he will be
ready for revenge. Dash combos are often the most effective, and
safest, tactic to use against the two swordsmen.
-Interestingly, Marth's and Roy's sword-based attacks make them more
vulnerable to Peach's Toad Counter than most, especially when they are
running towards the Princess in preparation for a dashing blow. Keep
in mind, however, that even after being blasted by Toad, both
characters are often able to recover fast enough for a return strike,
for Peach is a tad slow when returning her mushroom companion back into
her pocket.
-Peach players can often keep the swordsmen at bay by well-placed
smashes, especially when they are jumping towards her on a ledge.
Likewise, downward smashes can be effective against opponents jumping
to reach her from below.
-The effective use of vegetables can sometimes unnerve a persistent
Marth or Roy player enough to allow Peach a safe retreat, or serve as
the means for setting-up a more powerful attack.
-The Peach Bomber, although easily countered by the pair, can
nevertheless be effective if used sparingly and wisely. Marth/Roy
players just recovering from a fall or jump are especially vulnerable
to the move (if timed properly).
Captain Falcon - The muscle-bound bounty hunter is both heinously
powerful and an extraordinarily fast runner, making him a lethal
adversary to the slower, weaker Peach.
-The Captain might be fast on foot, but many of his moves are slow,
making him one of the easier opponents to employ the Toad Counter on.
If he is nearby, and shouts "Falcon Punch," be sure to introduce him to
the little guy.
-Captain Falcon's Falcon Kick can be devastating, for, unlike some of
his other moves, the attack provides no warning before its execution.
To avoid being trampled repeatedly, never stand idle in front of the
vigilante for more than an instant.
-Players should try to use the Captain's moves against him. If he
charges, block the attack and grab him, use the Toad Counter, or smash
him (this, however, takes good timing). Vegetables are another good
way to preempt his attacks, but beware, the veggies will not always
stop him during his most powerful techniques. Anticipating his moves
is the best way to ensure victory.
-Fly, fly, fly. Flight is often Peach's only recourse in avoiding
being beat-down by the barbarian's ruthless tactics. Use it often to
annoy Falcon players, and to set them up for particular moves.
-Using air attacks is risky against Falcon, as most of his moves can
counter or preempt any blow the poor Princess can deliver. Worst, good
Captain players will grab Peach, throw her into the air, and then hit
her with his upward B attack - a very frustrating combo to be ensnared
by. Of course, against Falcon, using any close-ranged attack is risky
without planning a tactic beforehand.
-The Captain has a Peach-paralyzing rapid-kick that often traps
unwitting princesses within a fury of blows. If caught on the ground
with this attack, try dodging away, or, if up close, try to use a basic
slap, or a crouching slap, to disable the attack. If caught in the
air, try air-dodging away. None of the strategies is foolproof,
however, and it is simply best to avoid being ensnared by the attack in
the first place.
-Because many of Falcon's moves are slow, Peach will occasionally have
an opening to attack right as he finishes a technique. Dare to execute
a dash attack or something that will propel him upwards, as successful
juggling is again the primary means to win. Even the boldest Peach
players who prefer to take Falcon on directly still spend much of their
time dodging, blocking, and evading his attacks until he makes himself
vulnerable to a counterblow. Only then can the best combo chains be
initiated.
-Remember, grabs and throws can be an effective tactic to use on Falcon
opponents who are inaccurate with their attacks, but players are
cautioned against using throws until their opponent has surpassed 50%
damage.
-According to contributor Rong Li, Peach's downward smash is the perfect
attack against "fast-falling" characters such as Falcon, as his rapid
descent makes him much more vulnerable to the maneuver.
Ganondorf - An unlikely clone of Captain Falcon (a good thing,
actually, as Peach would have a difficult time if Ganon used that sword
of his), most of the techniques that work against Falcon also work
against the Gerudo thief. Because of his slower speed, however, a few
other tactics are useful.
-Believe it or not, Ganon is one of the few characters Peach can
outrun, so players should definitely use this to their advantage. If
Ganon is brutalizing Peach with his absurdly powerful attacks, a swift
retreat is probably in order.
-Not only is he slow, Ganondorf is also not particularly agile,
allowing Peach many opportunities for escape, thanks to her recovery
powers. Smart players will use the stages' environments in order to
escape, throw vegetables, and use items. Smashes can also work well if
used precisely at the moment Ganon comes within range.
-Because of his increased strength, Ganondorf can be even more deadly
than Captain Falcon. Conversely, because of his reduced speed, the
thief is often easier to send airborne than his F-Zero counterpart.
Put simply, hit-and-run tactics work well within reason, put Peach
players will ultimately have to attack the villain directly. Remember,
expert juggling can quickly incapacitate him.
-Beware his upward B attack, which is even more brutal than Captain
Falcon's version (it is so powerful, in fact, it can even counter
Kirby's Falling Rock attack).
Fox McCloud and Falco Lombardi - The Star Fox duo is much alike, but
Fox is the faster of the two. Either way, both characters are adept
at running down hapless princesses with their cheap, hit-and-run
attacks.
-The duo is quick, but like Peach, they are semi-lightweight types who
lack any over-powered, brutal attack. This is good news for Her
Highness, who can thus charge into the fray without the worry of
possibly being annihilated off the screen (still watch out for smash
attacks, however). As always, Peach players should try to propel
Fox/Falco skyward in attempt to start a combo chain of attacks.
-Fox (and Falco to a lesser extent) can easily outrun Peach, but wise
use of her flying abilities should allow the Princess to avoid her
pursuers with minimal trouble.
-The duo's Fox/Falco Illusion technique is a frustrating attack to
detect and avoid, as neither character provides much warning when
executing the maneuver. Worse, shrewd souls often use the attacks to
trample their disoriented opponents back and forth repeatedly. If
caught in this attack, try generating Peach's shield to block the next
hit, and then fight back or run away.
-Peach can actually bully Fox and Falco around in close quarters if she
strikes first, as her dash attack, crouching-slap and high-kick can be
temporarily incapacitating on opponents. Unfortunately, should Fox or
Falco strike first, the pair's annoying rapid kick often ensnares and
renders players helpless. Breaking free is not always easy, but if a
Peach player realizes the move is about to be executed, a good
crouching slap can often prevent the maneuver from continuing. If not,
however, one can try dodging away, or fighting back with Peach's basic
slap.
-Vegetables are not as effective against the Star Fox team as it is
against other opponents, for their speed makes them difficult opponents
to hit (especially Fox). Furthermore, each character has a secondary,
deflective shield used to block enemy projectiles. Peach players
should rely more on direct, physical attacks when facing the them.
-Fox/Falco players enjoy retreating from opponents and then blasting
them from afar with their rapid-fire blasters. Peach players can often
use this to their advantage, however, by flying over the stream of fire
and coming down on their persecutors with a well-placed crown-slap. Of
course, cowardly opponents may simply flee to the other side of the
arena and resume fire. If this happens, find better friends to play
against.
-Fox and Falco are vulnerable immediately after completing their Fire Fox
(rocket) maneuver, and thus, should be grabbed, smashed, dashed, shaken
but not stirred.
-Again, according to contributor Rong Li, the maiden's downward smash is
a great attack to use against the duo when they are falling or jumping
down towards her, as the rapid descent of their falls make them extra
susceptible to damage.
Zelda(Sheik) - As the other fair maiden in Nintendo mythology, the
refined and becoming Princess Zelda's presence in a chaotic game like
Super Smash Brothers Melee is as peculiar as, well, the sweet and
gentle Princess Peach's presence in the game. In any case, Zelda is a
mostly a defensive character, who, frankly, is not much of a match for
an experienced Peach player. Once she transforms into Sheik, however,
her composed and melancholy disposition suddenly gives way to that of a
feisty and zealous young man armed with a blinding repertoire of moves
- putting Peach players at a significant disadvantage.
-Sheik's main advantage is his awesome speed. Even beginners can
choose Sheik, and by hammering the A button, send opponents reeling.
Peach has an especially difficult time against the She-Man, as her slow
speed makes her an easy target for Sheik's rampages. Fortunately,
Sheik is a lightweight opponent who can be battered around effectively
with strong hits. Peach players may want to risk some damage and
attempt to dash attack Sheik into the air for a combo. Alternatively,
players can bait Sheik into dashing towards them, block his attack,
grab and throw him upward, and then start a combo chain.
-Although Sheik is generally too quick to be hit accurately by
vegetables, the projectiles can be useful in slowing him down during
his sprints across the screen.
-If Sheik is lunging towards Peach, an occasional, well-timed Peach
Bomber attack can send the Princess' shocked pursuer promptly flying in
the other direction.
-Like Link, Fox, and Falcon, Sheik as a rapid attack that can paralyze
Peach within a flurry of jabs. Escape is not always immediate, but
players can try dodging away, crouch slapping or basic slapping their
attacker to break free.
-Should Sheik return to her female body, Peach players should increase
the aggressiveness of their attacks to prevent Zelda from returning to
her Sheikan form. Beware, however, that the seemingly passive princess
is hardly defenseless; indeed, Zelda's horizontal smashes can knock an
opponent quite far when timed correctly. Also, watch out for her jump
kicks, as they can deal up to 20% damage with a single hit.
-Some players have a difficult time dealing with Sheik's devastating
dash attack which, like Peach's, can send opponents flying straight
into the air. The only difference is that it is far faster than
Peach's version of the move. Fortunately, the situation is not as
bad as it seems. First, Peach can counter the move by merely slapping
in the scoundrel's direction. Second, effective blocking, grabbing
and throwing can upset the Sheikan's relentless attacks. Lastly,
the frequent tossing of vegetables will often discourage his
advances - so carry them often. See? It's as easy as getting a
pedicure. . .well, maybe not.
Note: Other characters to watch out for are Bowser, Mr. Game and Watch
and the Ice Climbers. Peach is not as naturally weak against these
opponents as the aforementioned ones, but they can still prove to be
extremely dangerous at the hands of skilled players. Bowser is often
difficult to approach without being smacked away by his powerful blows,
the Ice Climbers employ devastating bully tactics, and Mr. Game and
Watch has a variety of surprisingly powerful, and easy to perform,
attacks. In other words - play smart!
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6. JUST PEACHY - MISCELLANEOUS TIPS AND TRICKS - The following is a
quick list of other tricks players can use with their favorite Princess
in Pink.
Giant Vegetable - Upon enlarging with a Super Mushroom, Peach can begin
unearthing sheep-size vegetables to hurl at her pursuers. Should she
shrink while carrying one of these monstrosities, the giant vegetable
will nevertheless remain in her hand, and still be usable.
Quick Float - By holding down + X or Y at the same time, Peach can
float across the ground without actually having to jump. To attack,
players can hit the Z (grab) button to crown-slap their opponents while
moving forward. Ultimately, this maneuver is not always helpful,
but it occasionally allows for a good blow if executed correctly;
Peach masters have been known to use this maneuver for some satisfying
victories.
Valuable Veggies - Once Peach plucks a vegetable from the ground, she
does not necessarily have to throw it immediately - Peach can execute
any of her B attacks and remain holding the projectile. Players can
use this technique to conserve uncommonly powerful veggies, or fake out
opponents by plucking one from the ground and then using a different
attack (and then, perhaps, throw the veggie afterward). Update: Thanks
to a tip contributed by Blissless Serenity, Peach can also execute her
aerial A attacks while remaining hold of her vegetable. To do this, all
players have to do is tap the Z button while Peach is hovering or
flying in the air. The catch is that Her Highness must be FLOATING -
hitting Z while she is simply jumping will merely cause her to toss the
veggie as she normally would.
Crouch Steady - Interestingly, powerful moves that would normally send
Peach reeling backwards are not as potent when she is crouching. For
example, many of Captain Falcon moves bowl Peach right over, but if it
connects while she is crouching, a low-damage Princess will not be
knocked as far, if at all. Of course, she will still take the full
amount of damage, but she will at least be in the position to
immediately counterattack.
Hammer Neutralizer - Looking for any redeemable qualities in Peach's
Toad Counter move? Try using it against an opponent armed with a big
hammer and laugh at the result.
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7. PLAYING PEACH TO PERFECTION - ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES - The
following is a list of tips and tactics submitted to me by other Peach
aficionados. I do not necessarily endorse these "bonus" strategies,
but many have merit and have the potential to really improve one's
game.
Mister Boo has several interesting tips to share. He writes:
-Peach's aerial down-A is good if you do the insta-hover, and just
float towards your opponent, then do either a neutral-A or a backward-A
attack to get them away from you. Also, just doing a simple jump, the
a down-A attack can put a little hurt on a foe, and when it's done,
you'll be back on the ground.
-Marth and Roy are no problem either, you just have to get in their
faces. There are two types of Marth/Roy players--those who just use
their side smashes (no problem) and those who use Marth's speed, and
Roy's power. I've never played a good Marth player (I'm pretty good
with Marth myself) but Roy's never a problem for me when my brother
plays as him. Keep him at bay with the veggies, then roll around him
when he tries to smash/dancing blade you.
-Watch out for that stupid electric knee of Falcon. I hate that thing.
-Ganondorf is dangerous usually only when the computer is playing him.
Most human players don't have his timing right to outclass other moves
with his more powerful ones. (I'm also pretty good with Ganondorf)
-Fox is sort of a pain. I was getting killed by my friend's upward
smash all the time, until I just realized that I could float right
before I got into range, he would do the kick, then I'd come down
while he was recovering and whip him good. Falco's just a slower
fox to me.
-Sheik is the biggest pain to me, but certianly not unbeatable. The
biggest thing here is to STAY OUT OF THE AIR! Calmly advance toward
Sheik, blocking the 10000 needles that most Sheik players will throw at
you, and simply out power Zelda's counterpart. Sheik's strongest
attacks are her upward smash, and her forward aerial-A. If you can
avoid those two moves, you should be fine.
-If a player likes to get in close and use a lot of down-A attacks,
have Peach's downward smash ready. When a character is ducking and
gets hit by Peach's downward smash, they get sucked in and can't
escape. This caused around 75% of damage to Fox fully charged.
Blissless Serenity also has a few techniques to recommend. He writes:
-I think only the characters' mobility/moves/recovery time from
moves/power really distinguishes any of them. Rolling/dodging/throwing
is basically universal. Only Fox/Samus have significantly different
rolling speeds than everyone else. For example, I can
out-roll/out-grab someone with Ganondorf just as well as with Sheik.
-In a typical game, I dash/hit/smash a lot if I see someone approaching
me, and if I fail to hit them, I block/roll immediately after the move,
unless I know there's no chance in hell they'll hit me. My opponent
would have to predict exactly what move I was going to make in order
to grab me before I roll away or do another move.
-I also found the up-A aerial to be very useful for KOs against people
that like to avoid you at high damage. Therefore, I don't use it to
juggle, but to finish high-flying opponents. For instance if they're
at 130+% and you've sent them up higher than a jump distance but it
isn't lethal, jump up, float, and if they try to land away from you,
float after them and catch them with the up-A, even if they try to
jump away. That takes timing/practice but it's very satisfying to
know they can't escape you in the air. If they air-dodge, immediately
land and throw/dash attack.
-A final note about aerials: neutral aerial is your savior against
speedsters. It's like Mario's neutral A: it is THE anti-juggler,
especially against Falcon dives and Fox's rising aerials.
Ruffy Zarookian has a tip to offer. He writes:
-. . .the power behind the side and b attack. . . is predictable and
unwieldy but it is quite powerful and can easily knock opponents off
the screen.
Cahphoenix has developed some useful strategies:
-Peach's ability to float can be used to limit almost every
characters' standing attacks and smashes. The exception being taller
characters like Samus. Make Peach float just above the horizontal
plane of an enemy's attacks. This will allow Peach to float in and
use her neutral A attack or butt attack if facing backwards.
The enemy almost always thinks they can hit Peach, but if done
correctly the side attacks and dashes will miss--giving a free hit to
Peach. This can also be used to get away from projectiles from Sheik,
Samus, etc... Just hover above the plane of the projectile and your
shield will stay fully charged. The enemy may start using their up
attacks, but this can be easily avoided when floating as you should
never be directly over the other player. It is especially useful when
opponents are getting up from the ground. You can hover over their
recovery attack and get a free hit in, and if the opponent rolls away
you can usually float over to them before they get up to score a free
hit.
-As already expressed in the alternative strats, Peach's Down A smash
is a very effective move. It is basically the cheapest move in the
game because it can deal an insane amount of damage if a) the other
player is pressing down; or b) the smash is used to counter another
player's move. I spam the move every chance I get as the move has an
area of effect and lasts a good amount of time. So dodging and rolling
is virtually useless against Peach. Also, it has almost no recovery time
and can be followed up with a dash or dodge if it missed. Try using it
to counter dash attacks and a clever enemy's attempts to get back on.
-Peach is probably the best edge guarder in the game. The down A
smash can hit unsuspecting characters trying to reach the edge from a
horizontal or downward position as it can counter many attacks used to
get back on. Her floating ability can also be used here. She can
float just to the side of the edge. If the other player uses a jump
to get back on Peach is right in the way and can neutral A them off.
A roll will result in a back butt attack and any attack when getting
back on will miss resulting in a hit for Peach. She can also just
float out away from the stage to get a last hit on the opponent, then
float back using her parasol.
-As you stated, she is not particularly fast, but her dash attack
will propel her much faster for the last couple feet to the enemy, so
the opponent has a hard time figuring out when to block or counter the
attack. If they block too early just do a run grab instead of
the attack.
-Peach is one of the hardest characters to hit if used properly.
Very few characters can perform combos on her due to her floating
ability. Of everyone, I have only found Samus to be able to effectively
combo her. Use her block+down dodge, not the side dodge, continuously
as she has one of the fastest recovery times for it. This is probably
her best attribute as she can perform combos while others can't.
-Her turnips can be used as an effective stunning weapon. You can
throw the turnip while in the air or on the ground and quickly follow
up with a neutral air attack or a dash. If opponent tries to catch the
turnip, which most do, then the quick attack will get them right after
they catch the turnip or after they miss the catch and hit the turnip
away. The only danger to this is the quick block grab.
-Her neutral air move is an attack that can out prioritize many moves
while also being a very quick attack that can do good damage and knock
opponents away. This is also true of her back air move, though it
doesn't hit for as much power or distance.
Galaxysong 9 has an interesting strategy:
If you are fighting in a place where there is a lower level that isn't
a platform you can go through (such as Corneria), stand below
the wing but not under it. Dig up a turnip and when your opponent
comes down, hurl it up at them. If they know how, (CPU level 7 is
what I usually play at) they will air dodge it, leaving them
vulnerable for a fairly charged up A Smash or a parasol. If they don't
air dodge it, they at least get hit by the turnip. Sometimes, if you
can hit them up high enough, they'll get hit with the turnip anyway!
It's a win-win situation. I have also recaught the turnip occasionally.
It stops Bowser's/Yoshi's Down B's, or Link's Down A, and it's got a
very high accuracy too! If they have a high enough damage, you can also
catch them, and forward throw them off the stage! Also, in this
position (or even closer in, directly under the wing), you have to have
about 200% damage before they can knock you off. You bounce off the
wing, wall-kick off, and land perfectly with a Crown Slap. And I have
also been hit straight up, had Peach scream like she was knocked out
like a star, and just had her bounce off the over-hanging wing.
Corneria+Peach=Death to opponents!
Sanzang Hoshi Sama has a lot of tips and opinions to share:
Her [Peach's] downward rapid kick is only remotely useful when using
the down+jump trick on a flat stage and the upwards aerial kick is
easy to land on someone, that is if you time it right.
Peach Bomber is an ok move that doesn't have any real advantage to it
but in some instances its good just to catch someone off guard with
it (since you probably rarely use it).
Toad Counter is almost completely useless in my opinion - the
recovery after it is as pathetic as you say, and a simple dodge then
counter-attack beats using Toad any day as it won't leave you open.
The one use for that move is if you are in the air and someone attacks
you from the front.
The Turnips are awesome. There are 4 outcomes of you throwing a turnip
at someone and because they have to react in one of these ways it
means you can always catch them - IT DOESN'T HAVE TO ACTUALLY HIT FOR
IT TO BE EFFECTIVE - hardly anyone gets hit by the turnips unless you
are using them as a edge guarding tool. She can attack almost
immediately attack after throwing a turnip so....
1. They get hit by it = you dash attack them (they'll be stunned so
it's a 100% hit).
2. They dodge it = you dash attack them (you should time dash so you
can see which way they are dodging, and then it's pretty easy to hit
them.
3. They catch it = you dash attack them (turnips should be used in
close-ish range to an opponent which is why it doesn't matter so much
about them not having range, because if they grab it your dash attack
will hit 100% ... yes that is how fast you can attack after throwing
a turnip).
4. They use an attack to knock it away = you dash attack them
(basically if they have to move or block to stop the turnip you can
hit them, that is why the turnips are peach's ultimate trump card and
i love them so much).
Yeah, yeah i love the turnips :D
As for Marth and Roy, most of Peach's attacks can stop the sword
swipes from happening, you know, cancel them out, and then Peach can
use a faster move like just tapping A to hit them. A Flat stage means
you can use her aerial moves on the ground (on Final Destination
press jump while holding down and you'll understand) and the aerial
back attack is great for hitting them, the front one is good for
knocking them out but is difficult to connect if your opponent is
good. Either way, because of Peach's turnips and hovering ability she
can run these 2 into the ground in seconds. (Especially if you can hit
them properly with the highly damaging down smash, it deals 40% damage.)
Rong Li also has a few (somewhat critical) words to share:
1. You said that Fox and Falco were some of Peach's most dangerous
opponents. This is completely untrue. Peach actually counters the
space animals because (a)their fastfall makes them take huge damage
from Peach's down smash and (b)many of Peach's attacks send the space
animals at a downward angle due to their fast falling rates. Same for
Captain Falcon and just about anyone that falls fast. Currently, Marth
and Sheik are probably the only characters that have considered to
counter Peach. [Author's note: I still hold that Fox and Falco
(especially Fox) are among Peach's tougher adversaries. While advanced
players will perhaps have the necessary experience to properly handle
these two, novice and intermediate players will likely have a difficult
time.]
2. You underestimated the power of Peach's down smash. If the opponent
is crouching while you do the down smash on them, that's 66% damage
right there when uncharged. When Peach is standing on a slope like in
Yoshi's island and does down smash to an opponent below her, that's
30-66% damage, and it doesn't even require the opponent to crouch. And
if you're standing on a platform and you're opponent is under it, you
can do 3 or so hits with the down smash in that position.
Note: This is the most significant of the information I have received
from Melee players thus far. However, this section may continue to
grow if Peach supporters continue emailing me their strategies. Also,
for you nitpickers out there, one of the reasons for this section is
for me to have a quick and convenient way of receiving and listing new,
important tactics without having to go through the trouble of
researching and writing up the strategies myself. So don't complain
if what is listed in this section cannot be found in the rest of the
FAQ. . .if it's listed here, that should be good enough.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
8. CONCLUSION - FINAL ADVICE, HOPES, RANTS, AND CREDITS
I hope this FAQ will help Peach players perform more formidably on the
battlefield, but remember, the Princess was not designed to be the best
character in Smash Brothers Melee (nor should she be, considering who
she is), and so will always be at a disadvantage against certain
notorious opponents. The most any Peach player can do is practice
regularly against both human and high-level computer opponents. With
skill, strategy, and some luck, Peach can be a scary woman indeed at
the hands of an accomplished player.
Many will probably note that I excluded information concerning the
single player modes of the game. Even so, much of the strategies
listed herein are relevant to those modes as well, and thus, listing
strategies for the single-player experience would have been redundant.
Besides, Peach is not exactly the best choice for the single-player
modes, particularly on the higher difficulties. Remember, she lacks
strong horizontal smashes and is susceptible to bully tactics, making
her an easy target in team and multi-battle stages. The Adventure and
All-Star modes can be especially brutal to even the most ardent of
Peach fans. Nonetheless, players determined to beat these modes on
the higher difficulties should learn the AI's style of fighting, and
use this knowledge to their advantage. Peach's Parasol Attack can be
handy in multi-battles, as are certain items, especially beamswords
and pokeballs. Succeeding in these modes is certainly not impossible,
but again, practice and persistence is the key.
In the next Smash Brothers game, I hope for a few improvements. For
Peach, one can only hope Hal Laboratory improves her Toad Counter, or
replaces it altogether with a better defensive move. A slight upgrade
in speed would do the Princess wonders as well.
As for the game itself, I hope Hal Laboratory will improve the balance
of the characters. Yes, the fact that some characters have advantages
over others makes sense, for Peach surely would be no match against
Link or Marth in a real-world setting, but some characters simply have
too many overpowered and cheap attacks. I also hope the camera is
improved in the next edition, for the camera in Melee does not always
pan and zoom properly when obstacles and dangerous items appear on-
screen. For instance, I have been KOed several times by the giant
Bullet Bills on Peach's Castle stage simply because the camera did not
zoom out, even a little, to show me that it was coming. Other
improvements would include a better, less redundant Adventure Mode,
bigger arenas (strategic four-player battles are impossible on some
stages), more characters (where's Wario, Toad and Pitt?), on-line play
(oh please!), a tag-team mode (a la MvsC), and finally, less emphasis
on items. The last is a major pet peeve of mine, as items, especially
the explosive kind, are too powerful, making quick and cheap deaths far
too common. Oh, and one more thing: How about a story mode for each
of the characters? Each character could have his/her own quest and
reason for being in the game, with their own respective endings. That
would be cool, would it not?
And here's my thoughts on the tier debate: Yes, they do exist, as some
characters have obvious advantages over others. However, the wise
should remember that tiering is a largely subjective exercise
and, at best, is a mere approximation of each character's overall
potential. Also misleading is that, while certain characters such as
Fox and Sheik are usually ranked near the top, they are also among the
most difficult to master. Casual gamers may be better off choosing
more user-friendly characters such as Mario or Samus, whom, while
rarely placed in the top tier, are still very potent and flexible
characters to master. And where does our favorite princess place in
the ranks? It depends on who's doing the ranking, of course; at
best, Peach is rated as high as third place (meaning she's more or
less the third best character in the game). At worse, she places in
the second tier, around seventh or eighth. For practical reasons,
however, players can assume Peach falls along the threshold between
the first and second tiers (around the fourth or fifth position).
For gamers looking for more information on Princess Peach,
www.gamefaqs.com has two other useful FAQs, with Lazy Teens Club's
being the more comprehensive of the two. In fact, I gleaned a couple
of tips myself from this particular one, and I thank the FAQ's author
Mr. Thomas Hostetler for the help. I also thank Ruffy Zarookian,
Blissless Serenity, Mister Boo, Cahphoenix, Galaxysong9, Sanzang Hoshi
Sama and Rong Li for their feedback, and, of course, GameFAQs for
publishing this work.
Anyone interested in using this FAQ on his or her web site should ask
for my permission first. I can be reached at danders15@hotmail.com.
Also, I've been considering adding more sections to this FAQ--primarily
a level strategy section. But, considering that this work is already
rather extensive, and due to limited time on my part, I have
been hesitant to include such a feature. However, if there are any
readers who would like me to continue updating this FAQ, let me know
and I probably will. I will gladly accept reader submissions as well
(if they're good enough, of course).
In conclusion, the characters in Super Smash Brothers Melee are best
divided into three categories - those who are innately great fighters,
those who are not so formidable, but are fun to play as, and those who
are neither fun nor particularly effective. Peach falls best somewhere
in-between the first and middle categories--even a kitten has its bite.
Again, unlike Lara Croft, Joanna Dark, and numerous other tough video
game femmes fatales', Peach is a truly feminine woman who fights and
acts as such; and in the end, that is the beauty of her character.
Final Note: Those interested in other games with a more traditional,
less masculine take on female game characters may want to check out
the PSX game RPG Rhapsody: A Musical Adventure and the GBC
action-platformer Shantae (GBC). Both games feature spunky, warm,
and well-meaning female characters who lack the cocky, combative, and
cold exteriors that define most game-women today. Likewise, some of
the Final Fantasy games depict women in a more traditional manner
(despite the absurd, Lara Croftian update given to Yuna in the
upcoming Final Fantasy X-2).